Comfort Baker facts for kids

Comfort Baker was an important teacher in the American South. She made history as the first African American to graduate from high school in Omaha, Nebraska. She was born around 1869.

Comfort Baker's Early Life

Comfort Baker was born in New Bern, North Carolina, around 1869. When she was very young, her father passed away. At age 12, she moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. Sadly, her mother, Catherine, died within a year of their move.

After these difficult times, Comfort moved to Omaha, Nebraska. She went to live with her uncle, Andrew Hendricks, and his wife.

Starting High School

Comfort started attending Omaha High School when she was 15 years old. This was a very challenging time for her. In the same year, her uncle, Mr. Hendricks, passed away. Her aunt also became very ill and needed to be cared for in a special institution.

Overcoming Challenges to Study

To continue her studies, Comfort took a job working in the home of Watson B. Smith's family. This helped her earn money for her education. In her final year of high school, she moved out of the Smith household. She stayed with different African-American families in Omaha who supported her.

Comfort Baker graduated from high school in 1889. She completed her high school studies in three years.

College Education

After high school, Comfort Baker planned to go to Memphis Normal School in Memphis, Tennessee. However, she ended up attending Fisk University instead. Fisk University is a special school known as a historically black university. It is located in Nashville, Tennessee.

Comfort graduated from Fisk University in 1893. An Omaha High School teacher named Belle H. Lewis helped pay for Comfort's college fees. This support allowed Comfort to finish her higher education.

Comfort Baker's Teaching Career

Comfort Baker's first job after college was teaching summer school. This was in Newport, Arkansas. After that, she became the principal of an African American school.

She was highly respected in Omaha. She even wrote articles for a newspaper called The Enterprise. This newspaper was edited by Thomas P. Mahammitt, and his wife, Ella Mahammitt, also worked there.

In 1896, Comfort taught in Corsicana, Texas. By 1905, she was teaching in Gainesville, Texas. Her dedication helped many students learn and grow.